On 29 April 2026, the SKILLS Cross-Border Permanent Table (CBPT) gathered in Kotor, Montenegro, at the Blue Economy Training Centre (BETC), bringing together project partners, stakeholders, and decision-makers to move the SKILLS project firmly into its implementation phase.
๐ From Strategy to Action
The meeting confirmed a clear shift:
๐ from planning to real delivery of skills, training, and digital tools for the South Adriatic blue economy.
Key priorities were aligned around:
Activating training infrastructure
Launching education programmes
Connecting stakeholders through digital tools
Preparing policy dialogue at regional level
๐ Major Highlights
๐ข Blue Economy Training Centre (BETC) โ Now Operational
The newly presented BETC in Kotor is set to become a regional hub for training, innovation, and collaboration.
It will support:
Cross-border training programmes
Development of innovative learning modules (ILMs)
Academiaโindustry cooperation
Digital skills integration
๐ Partners confirmed their commitment to actively use BETC for upcoming activities.
๐ ILM Master Programme (EQF7) โ Moving Forward
A major milestone: the transition to a First-Level Master programme (60 ECTS), developed with Politecnico di Bari.
๐น Focus: Offshore energy, blue economy, and sustainability
๐น Format: Blended, cross-border, industry-connected
๐น Goal: Create highly skilled professionals ready for the labour market
๐ Partners expressed readiness to support promotion and enrolment.
๐ HELM Kotor โ Ready for Launch
The Higher Education Learning Module (HELM) in Kotor is officially introduced as a practice-oriented programme (3 ECTS).
Participants will gain hands-on experience in:
Cruise and marina management
Maritime technologies
Environmental sustainability
Smart maritime solutions
๐
Start: July 2026
๐ฏ Target: students and professionals in the maritime sector
๐ Pre-applications are already open โ promotion now underway.
๐ป Blue Economy Digital Platform โ Officially Launched
A key milestone of the meeting was the launch of the Adriatic Blue Growth Cluster (ABGC) Digital Platform.
๐ Explore it here: https://southadriaticskills.org/
The platform connects stakeholders across the region through:
๐ฌ eCommunication
๐ eDocumentation
๐ eLearning
๐ eCommerce
๐ CBPT members committed to onboarding, content contribution, and testing.
๐ AdriBioPro2026 โ Get Ready
The upcoming AdriBioPro2026 Conference (22โ25 September, Kotor) was presented as the flagship event for dissemination and regional cooperation.
๐ข Key opportunity:
Participate in panels
Present research and results
Contribute to a Springer scientific volume
๐๏ธ High-Level Panel โ Shaping Policy
The SKILLS project will host a High-Level Panel on Blue Economy Skills at AdriBioPro2026.
๐ฏ Focus:
Skills gaps and labour market needs
Educationโindustry alignment
Cross-border cooperation
Policy recommendations
๐ Initial speakers and contributors were identified.
โ Whatโs Next?
Clear actions were agreed:
Activate BETC training activities
Launch and promote ILM and HELM programmes
Onboard stakeholders to the Digital Platform
Prepare contributions for AdriBioPro2026
Strengthen regional cooperation through CBPT
๐ค Join the Momentum
The SKILLS project is now entering its most dynamic phase โ implementation, collaboration, and impact.
๐ Join the platform: https://southadriaticskills.org/
๐ Get involved in training, research, and innovation
๐ Be part of shaping the future of the Adriatic blue economy
Stay connected. Stay engaged. Build skills for the blue future. ๐
Cover photo. From left: Dr Mirko ฤuroviฤ and Prof Danilo Nikoliฤ during the SKILLS CBPT Meeting, Kotor (29 April 2026).